Sean O'Malley has left the renowned UFC color commentator Joe Rogan with a wide mouthside.
The former UFC Bantamweight Champion has extensive highlights on the largest stage of Mixed Martial Arts.
On the way to winning gold on 135 pounds with a only blemish on his record against Marlon Vera, O'Malley hit the will of Aljamain Sterling, Eddie Wineland, Raulian Paiva and Thomas Almeida.
And one of those names was once emphasized by Rogan as a prospect to view for years before he was eliminated by the fists of 'Sugar'.
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Sean O'Malley caused the classic Joe Rogan reaction by excluding Thomas Almeida's lights with brutal punch
O'Malley lost Van Vera in 2020 after suffering from a freak case of drop -foot. However, the American wasted little time to go back to winning ways.
In his first of three victories in 2021, 'Sugar' shared the cage with Thomas Almeida on the Apex hero UFC 260 pay-per-view. The event was led by Francis Ngannou's Ko from Stipe Miocic to win the heavyweight title.
The then future Bantamweight Kingpin offered one of the highlights of the night when he stopped Almeida late in the third round.
O'Malley dropped the Brazilian, but, as he had previously had in the fight, walked away in anticipation of a referee.
Just as Rogan and Daniel Cormier questioned that movement on comments, the native Montana's head to the canvas for the KO.
Joe Rogan recorded Thomas Almeida in the 2016 group to look at
Five years before O'Malley vs. Almeida had caught the last hunter the attention of many in the MMA community, including Rogan.
After 17 victories and 17 Finishes to start his career, the Brazilian joined the UFC as a highly promoted Bantamweight perspective.
He continued to impress in the Octagon and won his debut in 2014 and all three of his trips in 2015.
On 21-0 and number 6 ranked on Bantamweight, Almeida was mentioned by Rogan next to Sage Northcutt as a prospect to look at.
And while the collision of Almeida with colleague undefeated up-and-comer Cody Garbrandt, the experienced color commentator had, the Brazilian had a lot of praise.
“Thomas Almeida has the entire book of a future champion,” said Rogan.
“We saw Thomas Almeida overcome a setback in the Octagon … Brad Pickett had wounded him, had broken his nose and Almeida came back and stopped him with a spectacular flying knee.”
Garbrandt's Ko finally paved the way for his title of crowning. The once highly promoted Almeida, meanwhile, underwent a major collapse of the career.
Since then, the Brazilian has only lost fought six times in the nine years and four attacks.
However, Almeida recently found a rare success. In his return four years after the defeat against O'Malley, the 33-year-old achieved a decision victory at Art of Scrap 10.